The tender was initially floated in January 2019, as reported previously by Mercom.

“The response from the developers was poor due to the upper tariff cap of ₹3.50 (0.0049)/kWh. We have now revised the ceiling to ₹4 (~$0.16)/kWh,” an APGCL official told Mercom.

The last date for the submission of techno-commercial bids is October 10, 2019. The date for the techno-commercial bid opening has been scheduled for October 4, 2019.

The projects will be developed on a build-own-operate basis for the procurement of solar power by the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) for 25 years. According to the APGCL, the earnest money deposit (EMD) applicable for the bidders is ₹600,000 (~$8,317).

Assam is one of the least developed states in the country when it comes to the expansion of renewable energy sources. According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, the state currently has negligible solar capacity currently with nearly 100 MW under development.

However, the state has started its journey towards sustainability with recent tenders for rooftop installations as well. Recently, the Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) has issued a tender to set up 8 MW of rooftop solar projects with the net metering facility. The rooftop solar projects will be developed under CAPEX model. All the projects will be set up for residential customers.

A few months ago, the state had issued a tender for 7 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop projects for social and institutional buildings.

Mercom recently reported that the state government of Assam aims to install 590 MW of solar energy projects which are to be developed across solar parks, rooftop, and off-grid segments by 2020.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.